Sports

Owusu on watch list for Paul Horning Award

Cardinal women's volleyball team to host barbeque, meet and greet

Stanford senior Chris Owusu was named to the initial watch list for the Paul Horning Award, presented to college football's best two-way player. Photo by Dick Bernal.

Stanford senior receiver Chris Owusu, also one of the top kick returners, finds himself on the initial watch list for the Paul Hornung Award, presented to college football's best two-way player.

Cardinal grad Owen Marecic, who started both ways for the No. 4 Orange Bowl champions, won the inaugural award last season.

In three seasons as a Cardinal wide receiver and kickoff return specialist, Owusu has 67 career receptions for 1,158 yards and eight receiving touchdowns. In 70 career kickoff returns, Owusu is averaging 27.9 yards per catch, including three touchdown runs during the 2009 season for touchdowns. He has five kickoff returns of 75 yards or greater.

In related news, the Stanford football team will host an Open House event Sunday, Aug. 21, at Stanford Stadium and Dan Elliott Practice Field. It will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Fans will have an opportunity to attend an open practice, participate in football skill stations and a mini fan fest, preview seat locations for season tickets and obtain player autographs.

Ticket sales representatives will be on hand to assist with ticket related inquiries and purchasing. More information regarding tickets is available at [www.gostanford.com/footballcentral football central.

Women's volleyball

Stanford will host a barbeque for its fans, along with a meet and greet on Sunday, Aug. 21 at 1 p.m.

The barbeque will be held at Jimmy V's Sports Café, as will the get-together with the team. The squad will hold an open practice prior to the barbeque from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Stanford begins the season at the Rice Nike Invitational in Houston, Texas, Aug. 27-28.

Women's soccer

Stanford was the first Cardinal team to report for practice this summer, as it prepares for an Aug. 19 opener against Penn State.

Coach Paul Ratcliffe and his staff have the players training twice a day to prepare, as the squad aims for a third consecutive conference championship and fourth consecutive NCAA College Cup berth.

"It comes fast," Ratcliffe said. "You've got to get them as fit as they can get for that first game without overtraining them, where they're exhausted for the first game. That's always the challenge. But ultimately, you've got to look long term. That's the most important thing: that we get them prepared for the Pac-12 season and beyond."

Baseball

The Palo Alto Oaks semi-professional baseball team has qualified to return to the Stan Musial World Series after winning the Western Regional Championship. We are thrilled to participate, but the last minute travel expenses will be difficult to cover.

If you are interested in supporting the Oaks' participation in the Stan Musial World Series this year, please contact head coach Steve Espinoza at steve@paoaks.com or make your check payable to 'Palo Alto Oaks' and send it to the Palo Alto Oaks c/o 1860 Wagner Avenue, Mountain View, CA 94043. All of us with the Palo Alto Oaks organization appreciate your support.